Rim tool



more fully hereinafter set forth.

Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

- UNITED STATES y 1,571,266 `PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK RUSSEL HARTSOCK, OF WARSAVL INDIANA., ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO CHARLES 0. DICKEY AND GEIE-THIRD T0 LEONARD E. DICKEY, OF WARSAW,

INDIANA.

RIM TOOL.

Application filed March 20, 1922.

To f/ZZ whom t may concern.'

lie it known that I, FRANK It. Han'rsooii, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of l/Varsaw, county of Kosciusko, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rim Tools, of which the following is a full and clear specification.

The object of this invention is to so construct the apparatus that it will not only be adapted for removing and replacing all types of split rims, but will be capable of quick and easy operation in the removal rand replacing of the mostA troublesome rims, as

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 384,939, filed May 28, 1920, renewed JAugust 6, 1923.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my apparatus applied to a tire-rim, the latter being shown in dotted lines:

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the lines 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through one of the rim-gripping devices, part of the frame and screw expanding and contracting devices being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in horizontal section, showing the position of the parts after the rim has been expanded, for the purpose of opening the locking device, the expanded rim being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the next step in the removal of the rim from the tire, one end of the rim being swung inwardly to disaline it with respect to the other end of the rim;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 3 and 4 showing the apparatus in final position, in which the adjacent ends of the rim have been drawn to overlapped position to thus contract the rim sufficiently to detach it from the tire;

Figs. G and 7 are detail vie-ws of one of the rim-gripping jaws;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

, Referring to the drawings annexed, I employ a frame consisting of a pair of similarly curved bars l0, connected pivotally together at one end by a vertical bolt 11, and provided each at its other end witlra rimgripping appliance. Each rim-gripping applianee consists of a pair of jaws 12, lying Serin No. 545,071.

respectively against the upper and lower flat faces of a head 13 formed integral with the outer end of the bar 10, the jaws being attached to this head by a vertical clamp-bolt 14 extending through longitudinal slots 15 in the jaws and through holes `in the ears 16 formed on the head 13, a lever-nut 17 being screwed on the upper. threaded end of the bolt 14 and the head 18 of the bolt bearing against the lower side of the lower jaw.

The outer end of each of the jaws 12 is provided with a groove adapted to receive the edge of the rim, this groove being substantially V-shaped so as to bear against both sides of the edge ofthe rim and thus grip the same firmly. In the inner wall of the groove is riveted an inset'consisting of a steel plate 19 having a face which bears against the rim flange and having square corners at its end. The rear ends of each pair of jaws project beyond the supporting head 13 and these rearwardly projecting ends are connected by a coil-spring 20, which spring passes through a. hole in an inwardly-extending lug 21 carried by said head. In the face of the head 13, under the rear or inner end of each jaw, is formed a groove 22 curved on an arc struck from the center of the clampbolt 14; and working in each groove is a curved lug 23, formed on the adjacent face of the jaw.

Connected to the bars 10 at a point between the pivot bolt 11 and the rim-gripping devices is a lever-operated appliance for spreading as well as contracting the bars. This appliance is constructedoftwo si1nilar screws 24, each of which is pivoted to one of the bars by means of a vertical bolt 25, the pivotal ends of the screws, for the sake of compactness, extending into recesses 26 formed in the inner walls of the respective bars. The two screws have their inner ends threaded into the opposite ends of a rotatable sleeve 27, and afiixedto this sleeve 27 midway its ends is a ratchetewheel 28. Pivotally mounted on the sleeve, preferably soy as to embrace the 'ratchet-wheel, is a hand-lever 29, and carried by this hand-lever is a reversible pawl 30 adapted to. rotate the ratchetwvheel by operation of the lever-y 29 in either direction, according to which position thevpawl is set in. This reversible pawl is desirably of the spring-actuated snapover type, the spring 31 being housed not only be quickly shifted, but will remain in its shifted position until it is manually reversed. g

The lower end of the pivot bolt l1 depends a short distance 'beyond the bars l0, and pivotally connected to this depending end of the bolt is the inner link of a chain 32. The other end of this chain is adapted to be pulled laterally by means of a hand-lever 33 which is provided at its lower end with a hook 34 adapted yto engage in any one of the links of the chains, said lever 33 being provided with a pivotal hook 35 which is adapted to engage over the tire-rim at a suitable point to'one side orthe other of the joint in the rim, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

As will be observed, this appliance is adapted to rest upon the floor, so as not only to relieve the operator of the labor of handling it while operating it, but also to enable it to be readily moved about from place to place. The springs y20 normally maintain the jaws in open posit-ion, so that all that it is necessary to do to place a rim in the apparatus is to roll the tire into such lposition that when it is laid down on its side the edges of the rim will rest in the grooves in the lower jaws, the joint in the rim being of course arranged to lie between the two sets of jaws. After the rim is thus placed in the jaws, the-lever-nut 17 is screwed up to bring theV jaws into clamping relation upon the rim. The next step4V in the operation with most rims is to separate the abutting ends of the rim, the distance of separation being determined by thek character of the rim, as shown in Fig. 3. This is done by operating the hand-lever 29 in such manner .as t0 Escrew ont the screws 24. Then the hook 35risf` hooked over the rim of the tire jat either side ofthe wheel, ythe hook 34 off the lever v33 being engaged'in one of the links of the chaing'32, the link being selected in accordance with` the size of the tire; 'then by swinging the upperend of the lever 3,3 inwardly,t'he frame is tilted lto the position shown in Fig. l, the fulcrum being the right-hand oney of the jaw-bolts 14. After the ends of the rim` are disalined in thismanner, then v(while the operator holds the iframe in this tilted` position with one hand on thelever 33) .the barsfafre contracted by reversing thepawl 30 vand swinging vthe hand-lever 2Q/back and forth` a sin'iicient number of `strokes `to :bring the ends of the rim to overlapped position', :as shown in Fig. 5, whereupon the rim and tire maybe separated from `each other. When lthe :tire lis 4to ibe replaced upon the rim, the operations are the reverse of :those set forth for removingthe rim, and, in re-alining theends ofthe rim, the tilting appliance (consisting ofthe lever33., chain32 and hook 35) will d bc reversed, i; e., connected to the rim at the opposite side, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, to enable the lever 33 to be utilized to force the end of the rim back into alinement with the other end. y

It will be observed that when the device is in use, resting on the floor, the heads 18 ofthe jaw-bolts and the extended end of bolt 1l serve together as a sort of tripod for supporting the apparatus properly on the floor. lVith this manner of supporting the appliance it will be observed that it will be unnecessary for the operator to sustain the weight of the apparatus while using it, and it will'be observed that this threepoint support holds the' apparatus always in the yproper positionfor manipulating the various parts 1n removing or in replacing the rim. It will be observed that it is unnecessary to anchor the apparatus to a pedestal or table, as all the strains incident to operating the apparatus are taken up within the apparatus or therim being opern ated on. It will be seen that by thus adapting my apparatus for Vresting on the floor while being used, as distinguished frombe ing supported and handled by the operator, enables me to make the parts of the apparatus as heavy as is needed to rovide the necessary strength for manipulating the most troublesome rims.

lIt will be observed that 'a feature of importance is the means provided for tilting the frame for dis-alining the ends of the rim. The device I have provided for this purpose isfadjustable to all sizes of'rims, since the lever 33 maybe engaged in any one of the links of the chain. A chain is particularly desirable, since the operator soon` learns whiclrlink is needed for each particular size of tire on the market and thus is enabled to select readily the adjustment needed. Reversib'ility of this appliance is also iinportant,since itienables the operator -to tilt the frame vrin either direction by simply shifting the hook 35 to one side or the other-of the rim. By means of the handlever 33, yample power may `be readily applied to the chain to tilt the frame against the resistance of the heaviest rims.

The means for spreadingand contracting the. bars l0, is an important feature of my appliance. The use of screw devices provides a self-locking arrangement, ensuring the parts being locked in their adjusted positions, and the .provision of a reversible pawl enables the bars to be either spreader contratted bythe simple forward and backward movement of the hand-lever 29, the ratchet-wheel 28 being supported in a position above the floor by means of the beforedescribed supports 18 and ll.

The slots l5 in the jaws ll2, especially in the upper jaws, enable the jaws to swing wide apart tonthus facilitate the placing of the rim in the jaws; and the slot-and-lug Uli.)

arrangement 22-23 serves to prevent, or assist in preventing, the jaws sliding either inwardly or outwardly on the heads 13. rIhe springs 2O also assist in holding the jaws trom sliding inwardly or outwardly and these springs are particularly advantageous in preventing the inner ends oi' the jaws from swinging too far in either direction, the perforated lug 21 serving to restrict lateral swinging of the spring and thus ensuring constant pull on the inner ends ot the jaws, tending to properly position them on the heads. The main function, of course, of these springs 2O is to hold the jaws open, or rather hold the upper aw swung upwardly to the limit of its movement, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2a. TWhen the device is resting on the floor and not in use, the lower jaw, of course, bears solidly against the under face ot the head 13, while the upper jaw is held in an elevated position, to thus provide a wide open mouth for the introduction of the rim; when, however, the jaws are brought together upon the rim by means of the handnut 17, the head 13, and also the tire will be centered between the jaws, as shown in i'ull lines in Fig. 2a.

The clamp-bolts 14 are essential not only for operating the jaws, but they also serve as pivotal bolts on which the frame swings when it is laterally tilted, as shown in Figs. 4 and l'. In these ligures, it will be observed that the jaws are slightly aslrew with reference to the heads 13, showing that in tilting the frame there has been a slight pivotal action on the bolts, the bolt at the side toward which the trame is tilted being the one to serve as a ulcruin and take up the thrust. This pern'iitting the jaws to have a slight pivotal play on the bolts is advantageous also for the reason that it ensures the steel insets 19 obtaining the proper biting action on the edge of the rim. I have learned from experience that merely clamping the jaws down against the rim lianges, no matter how hard the clamping action may be, is not sufficient; in addition, I have found that there must be a biting action on the rim in order to prevent the jaws slipping thereon. 'Ihis biting action I obtain by means of the outer corners of the steel insets 19, which corners are caused to bite into the rim when the jaws are slightly swung on the pivot-bolts 14C. This slight pivotal action on the jaw-bolts and the consequent biting action on the rim takes place not only in spreading as well as contracting the rim, but also in tilting it my means ot the chain-and-lever arrangement; consequently, I provide for a very secure grip upon the rim in all operations.

To give the floor-engaging lower end of the pivot-bolt 11 a broad bearing on the floor, I screw on the threaded lower end of the bolt a nut 36, this nut being suitably locked against turning by riveting the end of the bolt or otherwise.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the precise details ot construction and arrangement shown, as variations and inodilications therefrom may be made without departing trom the spirit and scope ot my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variations and modifications as properly tall within the scope ci my invention and improvements and as set Vt'orth in the terms ot' the following claims lVhat I claim is:

1. In a tire-rim tcoi, a 'trame composed of a pair oi bars movably connected together at one end and each having a rimgripper at its other end, means for spreading as well as contracting the bars tor the purposes settorth, and means adapted to connect the. innerend. ot said trame to an adjacent point on the rim ,tor tilting the trame edgewisely on a ulcruni formed by one of said grippers to thereby swing inwardly one end of the rim.

2. In a rim tool, a pair of bars pivotally connected together at their inner ends, a pair of clamping members carried by the opposite end of each of said bars and adapted to engage with a rim, hand-operated means connecting said bars at intermediate points thereof for moving said bars toward and away from each other to thereby contract or expand the rim, and a connection between the pivot of said bars and the rim for moving said pivot laterally to thereby move one of said pairsl of clamping members inwardly to thus draw the ends of the rim out of alinement,

3. In a rim toll, a pair of bars pivotally connected together at their inner ends, a pair of clamping members carried by the opposite end. of each of said bars and adapted to engage with a rim, a hand-operated means connecting said bars at intermediate points thereof for moving s aid bars toward and away from each other to thereby contract or expand the rim, and a connection between the pivotal point of said bars and the rim, said connection consisting of a hand-lever, a flexible member connectino' the lower end of said hand-lever with said pivotal point, and a hook pivotally connected to said hand-lever at a point near the lower end thereof and engaging with the wheel-rim, whereby operation of said handlever exerts a pull on said flexible connection to thereby pull inwardly on one of said pairs of clan'iping members to thus draw the ends oit the rim out of alinement.

4. In a rim-tool appliance, a pair oi' frame bars each provided with a head at one end and being connected together at their other ends, means for spreading as well as contraeting said traine-hars, a pair of jaws mounted on each head, one on the under side and the other on the top side, said jaws being longitudinally slotted, a pivot-holt. 'for each pair of jaws adapted to clamp the jaws to the hem', and spring means at the inner ends oi the jars tending to spread apart the other, rim-gripping end of the jaw.

In a rim-tool appliance, a pair of frame-hars each provided with a head at one end and being connected together at their ends, means tor spreading as well as contract-ing said frame-hars, a pair of jaws mounted on each head, one on the underside and the other on the top side, said jaws heing longitudinally slotted, a pivot-bolt for each pair of jaws adapted to clamp the jaws to the head7 and spring means at the. inner ends et the jaws, tending t-o spread apart the outer, run-gripping ends of the jaws, said spring means Consisting of a single spring working through an apertured lug projeeting inwardly from the head.

ln a rim-tool appliance, a pair of trame-hars each provided with a head atone end and being connected together at their other ends, means ior spreading as well as contracting said frame-hars, a pair of jaws mounted on eaeh'heaeh'onefon the under side and the other on the top side, said jaws-being longitudinally slotted, a pivot-holt for each pair of jaws adapted to clamp the jaws to the head, land spring means at the inner ends ot the jaws tending to spread apart the other, rmi-gripping ends of the aws, the

faces of the jaws and the heads being pro.

vided with an interlocking groove and lug, the groove being curved on an are struck from the. center of the adjacent pivot-bolt.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alii); my signature.

FRANK RUSSEL HARTSOCK. 

